Adjustable elevator belt splice

Abstract

A device for splicing two belt ends together, the device having a first outer clamping plate, a second outer clamping plate, and a central plate disposed between the first and second outer clamping plates. Each of the first and second outer clamping plates includes inwardly facing surfaces oriented toward the central plate. Gripping surfaces of the devices are improved. A first gripping region is disposed on the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second outer clamping plates, the first gripping region having a plurality of rows of teeth. A second gripping region is disposed on the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second outer clamping plates and includes spaced apart elongated recesses positioned parallel to a long axis of the first and second outer clamping plates. A wedge member, to accommodate different sized and shaped belts, is removably coupled to an end of the central plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for splicing two belts together, the device comprising:
 a first clamping plate, a second clamping plate, and a central plate disposed between the first and second clamping plates, each of the first and second clamping plates including inwardly facing surfaces oriented towards the central plate; 
 a first gripping region disposed on the inwardly facing surfaces, the first gripping region having a plurality of teeth arranged in spaced apart columns, and aligned in a plurality of rows, the spaced apart columns positioned parallel to a long axis of the first and second clamping plates; 
 a second gripping region disposed on the inwardly facing surfaces, the second gripping region having a plurality of spaced apart elongated recesses positioned perpendicular to the first gripping region; and 
 a wedge member removably coupled to an end of the central plate, the wedge secured to the end of the central plate by at least one locking mechanism extending through the wedge member, and into the end of the central plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises bolts securing the first clamping plate, the second clamping plate, and the central plate in a fixed position. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first clamping plate, the second clamping plate, and the central plate each have belt engaging surfaces in a mid-portion that are generally coplanar to each other. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first clamping plate, the second clamping plate, and the central plate each have belt engaging surfaces at opposing ends that curve outwardly. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein a mid-portion of the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second clamping plates comprises the second gripping region. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein a mid-portion of the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second clamping plates comprises a third gripping region having transverse spaced apart ribs. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first gripping region is disposed near or about a first end, the first end being outwardly disposed from a planar mid-portion. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second gripping region is disposed near or about a second end, the second end being outwardly disposed from a planar mid-portion. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wedge member is replaceable with a separate wedge member having a same shape and size, or having a different shape and size. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is any of an adhesive, one or more fasteners, or various combinations thereof. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second gripping region is disposed near or about a planar mid-portion of the first and second clamping plates. 
     
     
       12. An elevator belt splice device comprising:
 a first clamping plate, a second clamping plate, and a central plate disposed between the first and second clamping plates, each of the first and second clamping plates including inner facing surfaces oriented toward the central plate, the first and second clamping plates each including outwardly curved opposing ends; 
 a first gripping region on the inner facing surfaces of a first opposing end of each of the first and second clamping plates, the first gripping region comprising a plurality of teeth arranged in spaced apart columns and aligned in a plurality of rows, the spaced apart columns positioned parallel to a long axis of the first and second clamping plates; 
 a second gripping region on the inner facing surfaces of each of the first and second clamping plates, the second gripping region comprising a plurality of spaced apart ridges positioned generally transverse to the long axis of the first and second clamping plates; 
 a third gripping region on the inner facing surfaces of each of the first and second clamping plates, the third gripping region comprising a plurality of spaced apart elongated ribs positioned parallel to the long axis of the first and second clamping plates; 
 the central plate having opposing flanged ends; and 
 a wedge removably affixed to one of the opposing flanged ends of the central plate. 
 
     
     
       13. The elevator belt splice device of  claim 12 , wherein the elevator belt splice device further comprises bolts securing the first clamping plate, the second clamping plate, and the central plate in a fixed position. 
     
     
       14. The elevator belt splice device of  claim 12 , wherein the first clamping plate, the second clamping plate, and the central plate each have belt engaging surfaces in a mid-portion that are generally coplanar to each other. 
     
     
       15. The elevator belt splice device of  claim 12 , wherein the first gripping region is disposed on a curvilinear portion of the first opposing end of each of the first and second clamping plates. 
     
     
       16. The elevator belt splice device of  claim 12 , wherein the third gripping region is disposed on a curvilinear portion of a second opposing end of each of the first and second clamping plates. 
     
     
       17. The elevator belt splice device of  claim 12 , wherein the second gripping region in a mid-portion of each of the first and second clamping plates, the mid-portion further comprising a generally planar region for the inner facing surfaces of the first and second clamping plates. 
     
     
       18. The elevator belt splice device of  claim 12 , wherein the wedge is replaceable with a separate wedge member having same shape and size or having a different shape and size. 
     
     
       19. The elevator belt splice device of  claim 12 , wherein the wedge is affixed by any of an adhesive, one or more fasteners, or various combinations thereof. 
     
     
       20. An elevator belt splice device comprising:
 a first clamping plate, a second clamping plate, and a central plate disposed between the first and second clamping plates; 
 a wedge member removably coupled to an end of the central plate; and 
 a spacer member disposed between the wedge member and the central plate, the spacer member having a thickness to enable the belt splice device to accommodate belts of differing thicknesses. 
 
     
     
       21. The elevator belt splice device of  claim 20 , wherein the spacer member is a plate.